Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Balls to the Wall

Guys, I know you're all sick and tired of me and my constant problems and who the fuck can blame you? Keeping a roof over our heads, our bills paid and food in our stomachs is my job. But since I lost my unemployment last March, even these modest goals are impossible when we have nothing but Barb's $135 in UI benefits to cover even some of our bills.

But the luck I've had since 2009 is something even Job would envy. I've shelled out $1300 in car repair bills in the last year now I have a $100-150 muffler job to look forward to. I need to renew my auto policy before the end of the month. I need to renew and convert Barb's license a couple of weeks later and AAA will want a renewal the month after that. That's another $250+.

My Dell shit the bed again last night hours after I got it out of the shop at a cost of $80. The other laptop is in the same shop and will cost us another $100. So we have no computer and we're reduced to spending even more money we don't have to use the local cafe's computer.

And that's not even the worst of it. My card got declined this morning even though yesterday I had about $100 over what I needed to cover our $650 rent check. So I raced to the nearest computer and discovered that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue grabbed over $728 out of my checking account for money they claim I owe them. Then they helped themselves to another $20 for a "fee" and that's where we stand now: A minus balance of $20.

The ironic thing is the DOR owes me something like 20 grand for taking money out of my pocket without a valid court order for nearly 8 1/2 years and when I write them to tell them this, they completely ignore me. But that's not going to get resolved until I can somehow hire a lawyer.

I still don't know if the last rent check cleared but whether or not it did, we're looking at a massive overdraft with no way of covering it. Without a computer and with gas at $4 a gallon, this skein of bad luck puts a severe crimp on our job search.

All this time I've somehow managed to keep our heads above water but this time we're looking at the very real prospect of eviction sometime this month. My landlord lost his own job and the company folded so he desperately needs all his rent or he'll lose this house along with us. Please, Please, PLEASE help in any way you can. I swear to God, I am not making any of this up. I really am this unlucky.

21 Comments:

Sent some little $$, but I'va had some financial issues lately too, so there isn't much.

Now for the obvious, well intentioned, suggestions. Have you tried to get some day work? Advertise on bulletin boards at the grocery - I have a friend who cleaned houses and did alright until she got steady work again.

Also, most public libraries have free computers, tho you may have to stand in line. And try the public agencies for food assistance. You aren't the only 99er out there, so you don't need to feel guilty about asking for help and every little bit helps.

Sorry for your situation. Hope something turns up. And write your congresscritters and state reps -they are pretty insulated and may not help, but they should know how desperate things are getting. And venting is good for the soul

Jurrasic, I have exactly no cash to help you out, being skint myself (and in another country, to boot), but there must be someone who will help you pro bono, or an ombudsman? Maybe someone at a food bank will now someone who will help?

Damned: Thanks for the donation and the advice but no one is hiring in these parts. Despite my qualifications, I cannot even get an interview much less a paying gig. A couple of years ago, I applied for a kennel job and never got a callback much less an interview much less a job. And I used to work at a kennel.

They say the unemployment rate is lower here in MA than the US average but you'd never it when you're out in the cold.

I do feel ashamed to be asking for help so constantly because being a middle aged white guy, I'm supposed to be taking cvare of everyone else. I didn't ask to be thrust into this position and when I was last employed for those 5 1/2 years, I didn't know what was going on in my own country. Now suddenly I'm some irrelevant, unemployable dinosaur who's not fit for anything.

Thank you, whoever you are. If I don't thank you guys after now it's not because I'm not grateful. Our Compaq is in the shop and the Dell that just got "fixed" yesterday gave up the ghost and we won't have internet access after 6 PM.

But eventually I'll get around to personally and individually thanking everyone.

It was literally D-Day for us because the DOR rifled my bank account on June 6th (the 2nd anniversary I got adopted by Popeye the cat, who may also be out of a home). Now we have to find a way to safely get the momey transferred to a card or account that the DOR can't touch.

You can blame RomneyCare and its fucking mandate for this. You "refuse" to carry health insurance, you lose your $919 in personal deductions. Thanks again, Mittster, may you fucking rot in hell.

No particular reason I commented anonymously except that I'm sure you don't know me. I'm at BJ several times a day but rarely comment (fwiw - my handle is chmatl). I contributed b/c I feel our financial situation is very tenuous right now, and I'd hope that if I were in need others would help me as best they could. Paying it forward, building up good karma and all that. I'll be sending good thoughts and vibes your way for a turn-around in your crappy circumstances.

JP: I'm a long time follower of both this blog and Brilliant at Breakfast. Your story reflects a friend of mine whom I just recently paid their Car Insurance for (I know, I know.. Humble Brag) so I decided to add another $25 to the kitty.

JP, sorry to hear the Dept. of Infernal Revenue got you. I know how hard it is to deal with them. They are always quick to claim you made a mistake & seize assets, but always slower than molasses in Juneau in January to return anything they owe you. I've added what we can to the kitty. I hope it will help some.

Can I just say that I told my father this morning that we're getting to a point of desperation in this country where people might listen to demagogues with terrible, terrible ideas if they're given jobs? Not a reflection on you, JP, but I am worried...

Of course you can say it, Mirele, because it's true. We saw it in the '10 midterms, we saw it in Maine, New Jersey, Wisconsin during those goobernatorial elections. Those who aren't liberal or realistic keep underestimating how damned incorrigibly evil the Republican Party is. They never fucking learn.

miss_kitty here, jp. Did what I could, wish it were more.There is NO SHAME in asking for help. That is a Thug value, and feeling shame increases stress, which will make it harder for you.When I had cancer, people were slipping me a dollar or two to help out. I'm glad to be able to return those favours, though it may not be to the original donor.We all need help sometimes, and we need to help when it is within our power. You've either helped someone in the past are helping someone now, or will help someone in the future. It'll come out in the wash.We need to stick together and help each other.